While the cat's away

Earl is always joking that whenever he leaves the house for a few days he never knows what color the rooms will be when he gets back. He went down to help my brother install some windows early this week and I had a few days to play. I don't have a before picture because I was so anxious to start I just forgot to get any. The upper walls of this bath were papered with a pretty ivy wallpaper and I had a white shower curtain. I liked it but after a few years the steam from the shower was making the edges loose and I thought it looked tatty. I had all the things I needed for this makeover except the paint and that was $20. Not bad for a whole new look! I have to admit, as I tore that first piece of wallpaper off the wall I thought "What am I doing!?" It wasn't too bad though and once I got the top layer of vinyl off, soaking the paper on the wall with water and a bit of white vinegar dissolved the paste very well. It came off easily.
When we added on to this little cottage 25 years ago (!) we chose grey tile for the bath. I hate it now and, although grey is a neutral, if I could go back I would get white. So one of the biggest challenges has been working with that color and being happy with the outcome. I think the green tones down the grey and I love it with the grey! I had the toile curtain panels from a 5 yard piece of fabric that I paid $5 for at a yard sale a few years ago. It was dining room curtain panels for a while and I just sewed 3 of them together with a flat seam to make the shower curtain. Button holes allow for shower rings. The mirrors on the walls are all garage sale finds. The two above the sink were $3 each and I spray painted all the mirrors glossy black. I love it!

This little wicker house holds toilet tissue. $5 at a storage unit garage sale and it came filled with vintage patterns!

One of my toile hearts hangs from the robe hook:>)

This vintage frame was $2 at a garage sale, once again, sprayed black and hung over one of the towel bars. It is hard to see the details with this photo, but these are really old, ornate plaster frames.

And this vintage oval mirror, $3 at another garage sale 2 weeks ago. As you can see, I did this on a budget but I am thrilled with the way it turned out. Earl got a surprise when he walked in last night:>) I love that too, it always makes me smile to surprise him:>) I still have a few details to add but the whole family loves the new look and it didn't break the bank!